Majorca Daily Bulletin reporterPalma28/01/2016 00:00
TW
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Hospital emergency departments have been experiencing renewed peaks of activity, despite the fact that the weather has been mild and there has been no outbreak of a flu epidemic. On Wednesday morning, there were further instances of patients having to be accommodated in corridors as there were insufficient beds in the health service emergency departments.

Staff in these departments at Son Espases and Son Llàtzer are once more concerned by the lack of space in what are the two main hospitals in Majorca. The principal causes of the new peak in demand are respiratory and organ problems among the chronically ill, especially the elderly.

A doctor at Son Llàtzer has highlighted concerns that cold weather and flu over the next few weeks will stretch what are already overstretched services. IB-Salut said that on Wednesday afternoon, after releases had been made and also following high levels of activity in the morning, there were 25 patients waiting for a bed at Son Espases, 17 at Son Llàtzer, three at Manacor and two at Inca. Personnel placed the figures, prior to the mid-afternoon release schedule, as having been 40 at Son Llàtzer and 36 at Son Espases.

Both these hospitals have all their beds (wards and emergency) open at present and have had since the end of last year. Some patients have been transferred to the Sant Joan de Déu, Joan March and General and other hospitals, with which IB-Salut has agreements, and these transfers will continue as and when needs arise.